SAO PAULO (AP) -- Leila Lopes from Angola was crowned Miss Universe Monday night, smoothly handling an interview question about what physical trait she would change if she could by stating it was her inner beauty and principles that counted most.

The 25-year-old Lopes is Angola's first winner.

She beat out 88 other competitors to win the title during the 60th anniversary of the world's biggest beauty pageant. She replaces last year's winner, Ximena Navarrete of Mexico.

"Thank God I'm very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn't change a thing," Lopes said when asked her interview question. "I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I intend to follow these for the rest of my life."

The first runner-up was 23-year-old Olesia Stefanko of Ukraine and the second runner-up was Priscila Machado of Brazil.

Drug trafficking and gang violence have made Guatemala one of the most violent countries in Latin America [Reuters]

As candidates square-off in Guatemala’s presidential election, a broader political battle is transpiring away from the campaign signs and populist rhetoric: the old oligarchy is fighting to maintain its privileged position against an increasingly powerful "narco elite".

The old elite, or oligarchs, usually come from a feudal-style landowning class linked to coffee exports, cattle ranching and some heavy industry, such as cement production. The new narcos deal in cocaine, marijuana and assassinations.

"Members of the new elite might buy a Hummer from a Mexican singer and everyone will know they are corrupt," said Martín Rodríguez Pellecer, director…

With baby #1 I discovered the perfect teether. Trader Joe’s sells dried mango slices without added sugar. The are like a natural fruit leather! Malleable and sturdy, a nice slice can hold up to even the most drool prone baby. As the baby “gums” it, the mango gets soft but never falls to pieces.

Little Bean loves them just like his older brother did at that age.

Little Bean and his mango.

As you can see, the slices are easy to hold. As the baby gnaws on them with his gums (no teeth yet) they soften and he gets all the mango flavor. For Little Bean, this has been working great as his first finger food. He doesn’t quite have the dexterity for Cheerios or other small pieces quite yet.

Since they have a long shelf life, I stock up on them when I hit Trader Joe’s and keep a bag of them in my purse. Best part… Mom gets to eat them too. :)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (PNA) – Stakeholders in the mango industry will focus on increasing the competitiveness of Philippine mangoes in export markets, and developing more production areas in Mindanao during this year’s 13th National Mango Congress to be held this month.

The congress, to run from September 28 to 30 with the theme “Positioning the Philippine Mango Strongly in the World Market,” will be held in Glan, Sarangani, an emerging mango producer and tourist destination in southern Mindanao

Fred Dumasis, president of the Sarangani Federation of Fruit Industry Associations, Inc., said the conference will provide updates on export market requirements, the latest production technologies, and best production practices.It will also showcase areas in Mindanao with the potential for mango production.

About 500 growers, processors, consolidators, exporters, and ancillary service providers from across the country are expected to attend the three-day…

One of the biggest story lines of the 21st century is going to be the continued economic rise of China and India. According to the World Bank, both countries grew at a rate of 9.1% in 2009. Here’s a chart of their growth since the 1960s:

Demographic contrasts between China and India will become more pronounced in the coming decades, and these differences hold implications for the countries’ relative economic prospects. China’s population is larger than India’s, but India’s population is expected to surpass China’s by 2025.

China’s population is older than India’s and beginning to age rapidly, which may constrain economic growth, whereas an increasing percentage of India’s pop…

Nass is nevertheless still pursuing effects to sell the company as a going concern, and he is in talks about various offers.

Six weeks ago, a week after he was appointed trustee, he told "Globes" that the liquidation of Agrexco would seriously hurt thousands of farmers, to the point of destroying their livelihoods, because they would not be paid for their produce delivered.

On Tuesday, the Knesset Finance Committee will hold a special meeting on Agrexco. MK Shai Hermesh (Kadima), chairman of the agricultural lobby, called for …